Locking device for window guards



April 30, 1963 J. F. KELLY 3, 87,75

LOCKING DEVICE FOR WINDOW GUARDS Filed July 11. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVEN TOR. JAMES F. KELLY A ril 30, 1963 Filed July 11. 1960 J. F. KELLYLOCKING DEVICE FOR WINDOW GUARDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIIIHH' I Hi INVENTOR.JAMes F. KELLY hum/(imp, A'r-rvs.

United States Patent 3,087,750 LOCKING DEVICE FOR WINDOW GUARDS James F.Kelly, 117 N. Waller Ave., Chicago, Ill. Filed July 11, 1960, Ser. No.41,961 6 Claims. (Cl. 292-161) This invention relates to a novel devicefor use in maintaining a window guard in locked position adjacent awindow, while at the same time affording means for rapidly unlockingsame when required, as in the case of an emergency.

It is a customary practice to employ metal wire mesh guards overwindows, especially on the ground floor of buildings, to protect thewindows against breakage and to prevent prowlers from gaining access toa building through the window. This has presented a problem, andespecially in school buildings and the like, as the guards must not bepadlocked or fastened in such manner that they cannot be readilyreleased in the event of a fire or other emergency to permit quickegress through the windows of a building.

Heretofore, devices have been developed for locking window guards whichincorporate means for opening same, but the operation of such deviceshas been dependent upon mechanism which is unable to function unless aWindow sash with which it is associated is at least partially raised torelease the mechanism. Dependence upon such devices is hazardous as, inan emergency, a window may be jammed, frozen or warped in such mannerthat it is impossible to open, with the result that the device is unableto function to release a locked window guard.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a devicewhich combines means for positive locking of a window guard and at thesame time permits rapid release of the guard when required withoutreliance upon an open window sash.

Another object is the provision of a safety window guard locking andrelease device which may be constructed substantially entirely on thewindow guard itself, thus leaving the window sash free of fixtures orhardware which might inconvenience window maintenance crews from washingor repairing a window.

In general the device of the present invention comprises a swingable,weighted, U-shaped member mounted on the inside of a window guard, oneside of the member being provided with a crank pin cooperating with aslotted bracket attaehedt o a double ended rod, whereby upon raising theU-shaped member and resting same against an adjacent window light thedouble ended rod will be raised to engage with brackets attached to theside of a window structure and thereby lock the window guard, and uponlowering the U-shaped member, as by disengagement with an adjacentwindow or by breaking the window glass, the double ended rod will bereciprocated out of engagement with the window brackets and unlock theguard, permitting it to be swung outwardly away from the window.

Other objects and advantages relate to the details of construction,arrangement of parts, and the economies thereof which will be apparentfrom a consideration of the following specification and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofthe device assembled on a metal windowguard showing the position it assumes when in locked condition.

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the position the device will assumewhen it is in unlocked condition.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device in locked position inassociation with a double-hung window structure.

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FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an angle iron stop memberattached to one side of the window guard with an upper window sashresting thereon.

FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIG. 3 showing the device in unlockedposition.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates aconventional metal-framed window guard panel which is provided withhinges 11 at one side thereof for hingedly attaching same to a windowstructure (not shown). The device of the present invention is associatedwith the window guard 10 by means of a fiat elongated metal plate 12 anda bracket member 14 which clamp therebetween a portion of the woven wiremesh screening 13 in the body or face of the guard, the assembly beingheld in permanent association by means of rivets or the like 15. Theplate 12 and member 14 are preferably attached to the guard 10 in alower corner thereof in order to minimize the obstruction of light andview through an adjacent window.

The sides of member 14 terminate in two arms 16 and 17 extendinglaterally at right angles therefrom in a direction away from the plate12, the arm 16 being provided with a circular opening 18 substantiallyin the center thereof, and the arm 17 being provided with a similaropening 19 in the same plane with opening 18. A generally U-shapedmember 2% is pivotally engaged with the member 14 through the medium ofthe openings 18 and 19 and acts as a trigger for the operation of thedevice, as will be later described. Member 2i) is constructed of roundmetal stock and is provided with a central connecting bar and two spacedapart legs 21 and 22 extending in substantially parallel relation withrespect to each other. Leg 21 is bent outwardly a short distance fromthe tip thereof to provide a laterally extending pin 23 which engages inthe opening 18 in member 14 for pivotal movement therein. The tip of thepin 23 is bent or distorted, as at 24-, to prevent disengagement of thepin from member 14.

The leg 22 is similarly associated with member 14 by means of anintegral laterally extending pin 25, diametrically disposed with respectto pin 23, which protrudes through opening 19 in the arm 17 for pivotalmovement therein. In further development, the pin 25 is bentintermediate its length to form a crank 26 and an outwardly horizontallyextending crank pin 27 integral therewith and at the extremity thereof.When so arranged the member 20 may be pivoted in an upward or downwarddirection with respect to member 14 and will function as a crank andtrigger to provide means for locking and unlocking the guard 10, as willbe later described.

The locking and release means comprise a vertically extending rod 28adjacent the free frame side of the guard 10 and associated in spacedrelation therewith by means of supporting brackets 29 and 30 which arewelded or riveted to the inner face of a side channel member of theguard. The protruding sections of brackets 29 and 39 arecylindrically-shaped to provide collars for the reception of rod 28 andpermit sliding reciprocal movement of the rod therein. The lower end ofthe rod 23 is return bent to provide a parallel hook bolt 32 and theopposite end of the rod is offset to form a parallel upwardly extendingbolt pin 33.

The member 20 and rod 28 are associated by means of a bracket 31 whichis welded or otherwise firmly secured to rod 28 intermediate its lengthand extends laterally therefrom in juxtaposed position with respect tocrank 26. Bracket 31 is provided with an elongated slot 34 in the centerof the laterally extending portion through which crank pin 27 isinserted to provide rocking movement thereof and activation of the rod28, as will be later described.

Patented Apr. 30, 1963 When it is desired to lock a guard over anadjacent window, the guard is swung into position adjacent to andparallel with the window. While the Window sash is open the U-shapedmember 20 is raised to an upright position, as shown in FIG. 1. Theraising of member 20 will turn crank pin 27 and the latter, due to itsrocking association with bracket 31, will push the bracket andassociated rod 28 upward a sufficient distance to insert the bolt pin 33through aperture 35 provided in a bracket 36 extending horizontally froma side wall of the window or window casing. Simultaneously, the rod 28will raise hook bolt 32 a sufficient distance to insert it throughopening 37 in a bracket 38 extending horizontally from a lower side wallof the window casing, thereby locking the guard 10 against the windowcasing.

The member 20 may be maintained in an upright locked position by closingthe lower window sash 39 and permitting a roller 40 to rest and becon-fined against a window light 41, as shown in FIG. 3. Inasmuch as thelength of member 20 is substantially greater than the space between aclosed guard panel and an adjacent closed window sash, the member willbe confined against rotation within the space and will rest in anupright position against the closed window. The roller 40 is rotatablymounted on the head of member 20 and, being constructed of nylon,rubber, plastic or the like, acts as a cushion for the member when itrests against a window light. Also, the roller prevents frictionalengagement of the member 20 with an adjacent window and facilitatesraising or lowering the window sash inasmuch as it rolls thereagainstduring such operation. It will be evident that when the device isconfined in this position the bolts 32 and 33 will maintain the guard 10in locked condition with the side wall of the window.

When it is desired to open the window guard the lower window sash 39 maybe raised a sufiicient distance to by-pass or clear the roller 40 whichis bearing thereagainst. Inasmuch as the member 20 is held in an uprightoblique angle with respect to the glass 41 and member 14 it willautomatically fall forward and downward as soon as it is released fromconfinement with the window sash and will assume the position shown inFIGS. 2 and 5. As the member 20 falls forward it acts in a reversemanner to that described for locking the device. As the crank pin 27 istriggered by the movement of the U-member it will lower the rod 28, bymeans of the bracket 31, a suflicient distance to disengage the bolts 32and 33 from brackets 36 and 38, respectively, thereby unlocking thewindow guard from the adjacent window and permitting same to be pushedoutwardly.

Although the member 20 is shown associated with a window light it is tobe understood that the member may be enlarged or extended in such mannerthat it could be associated-with a window mullion instead of glass toreduce the risk of glass breakage. It is contemplated that the head ofmember 20 on which the roller 40 is mounted be weighted or constructedof heavier stock than the remaining sections of the member to affordgreater leverage to the U-member when it is released from confiningcontact with a window sash and assist in the automatic mechanicaloperation of the device.

It will be apparent that the device above described provides means forpositively locking a window guard while at the same time affording meansfor quickly opening the guard if required in an emergency. In the eventa window sash should become warped, frozen or unopenable for any reason,the device may still be operated by breaking the window glass or themullion bar to release the member 20 and permit it to operate in themanner above described. Also, in case the rod 28 should become distortedor impaired by rust, whereby the device is deprived of its automaticoperation, force may be manually applied to the member 20 to provide thenecessary leverage for removing the bolts 32 and 33 from lockingengagement with brackets 36 and 38. Thus, it is not absolutely necessarythat a window sash be open to permit operation of the device. Also, inthe case of an emergency, such as fire, a guard may be opened by firemenfrom the outside of a building by breaking the window glass andreleasing the member 20.

Where the device is employed with double hung window sash it permits theupper and lower sash to be opened to afford proper ventilation withoutinterference with the locking arrangement. As a safety measure, toprevent breakage of glass when the device is in locked position, anangle iron stop 42 is riveted or otherwise firmly secured to a side ofthe guard member 10 in spaced relation to the rod 28, with the upperface thereof being at right angles thereto. As shown in FIG. 4, theupper face of the stop 42 is arranged approximately two inches above thetop of the roller 40 when it is in upraised and locked position and actsas a barrier against lowering an upper sash 43 onto the member 20, whichaction might break the glass in the absence of such a stop.

The entire device is carried on the window guard itself and no fixturesnecessary to its operation are carried on the window sash, with theexception of small brackets 36 and 38. This is advantageous tomaintenance crews inasmuch as the device will not interfere with theirrepair, replacement or cleaning of windows.

Although the device has been described in use with double hung windows,it is contemplated that it may also be adapted for use with other types,such as tilting or swinging windows. The device is of such nature thatit may be readily installed on window guards of present construction, orit may be made an integral part of new window guard structures.

Although I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made in the details without departing from thescope thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. A locking device for securing a pivotally hinged guard panel inlocked position adjacent a window in a building wall, said devicecom-prising a horizontally disposed bracket member attached to an innerface portion of the panel adjacent the free frame side thereof oppositethe hinged side, a trigger member pivotally engaged with said bracket bytwo laterally and horizontally extending arms, one arm of which ispivotally engaged with one end of said bracket and extends inward towardthe hinged side of the panel and the other arm of which is pivotallyengaged with the other end of the bracket and terminates in an integralcrank member extending horizontally toward the free side of the panel, arod slidably secured to and extending vertically along the framecomponent at the free side of the panel and carrying means intermediateits length for association with said crank member, means extending fromat least one end of the rod adapted for engagement with locking meanssecured to and projecting horizontally from the confines of said windowin said building wall.

2. Locking means for a sidewise pivotally hinged guard panel for awindow mounted in a wall, said locking means comprising at least oneapertured bracket secured to and projecting horizontally from theconfines of said window on said wall, a locking rod mounted for verticalreciprocation on the free frame portion of said guard panel opposite thehinged frame portion, said vertically reciprocal rod including an offsetparallel end portion receivable in said apertured bracket, ahorizontally disposed supporting bracket member attached to an innerface portion of the panel adjacent the free frame side thereof oppositethe hinged side, a trigger member pivotally engaged with said supportingbracket by two laterally and horizontally extending arms, one arm ofwhich is pivotally engaged with one end of said supporting bracket andextends inward toward the hinged side of the panel and the other arm ofwhich is pivotally engaged with the other end of the supporting bracketand terminates in an integral crank member extending horizontally towardthe free side of the panel, and a slotted horizontally extending bracketcarried on said vertically reciprocal rod intermediate its length forassociation with said crank member whereby said rod may be verticallyreciprocated and its offset end caused to be successively engaged in andfrom said apertured bracket upon rotation of said crank by means of saidpivoted trigger member.

3. Locking means for a sidewise pivotally hinged guard panel for aWindow mounted in a wall, said locking means comprising aperturedbrackets secured to and projecting horizontally from the confines ofsaid Window on said Wall, a locking rod mounted for verticalreciprocation on the free frame portion of said guard panel opposite thehinged frame portion, said vertically reciprocal rod including offsetparallel portions at each end thereof receivable in said aperturedbrackets, a horizontally disposed supporting bracket member attached toan inner face portion of the panel adjacent the free frame side thereofopposite the hinged side, a trigger member pivotally engaged with saidsupporting bracket by two laterally and horizontally extending arms, onearm of which is pivotally engaged with one end of said supportingbracket and extends inward toward the hinged side of the panel and theother arm of which is pivotally engaged with the other end of thesupporting bracket and terminates in an integral crank member extendinghorizontally toward the free side of the panel, and means carried onsaid vertically reciprocal rod intermediate its length for associationwith said crank member whereby said rod may be vertically reciprocatedand its offset ends caused to be successively engaged in and from saidapertured brackets upon rotation of said crank by means of said pivotedtrigger member.

4. A locking device for securing a pivotally hinged guard panel inlocked position adjacent a window in a building wall, said devicecomprising a horizontally disposed trigger member provided with twolaterally and horizontally extending arms, one arm of which is pivotallyengaged with one end of a horizontally disposed bracket member attachedto the inner face portion of the panel adjacent the free frame sidethereof opposite the hinged side, said arm extending inward toward thehinged side of the panel, and the other arm of the trigger member ispivotally engaged with the other end of the bracket and terminates in anintegral crank member extending horizontally toward the free side of thepanel, a rod slidably secured to and extending vertically along theframe component at the free side of the panel and carrying meansintermediate its length for association with said crank member, meansextending from at least one end of the rod adapted for engagement, withlocking means secured to and projecting horizontally from the confinesof said window in said building wall.

5. A locking device for securing a pivotally hinged guard panel inlocked position adjacent a window in a building wall, said devicecomprising a horizontally disposed trigger member provided with twolaterally and horizontally extending arms, one arm of which is pivotallyengaged with one end of a horizontally disposed bracket member attachedto the inner face portion of the panel adjacent the free frame sidethereof opposite the hinged side, said arm extending inward toward thehinged side of the panel, and the other arm of the trigger member ispivotally engaged with the other end of the bracket and terminates in anintegral crank member extending horizontally toward the free side of thepanel, a rod slidably secured to and extending vertically along theframe component at the free side of the panel and carrying ahorizontally extending slotted bracket intermediate its length forassociation with said crank member, means extending from at least oneend of the rod adapted for engagement with locking means secured to andprojecting horizontally from the confines of said window in saidbuilding wall.

6. A locking device for securing a pivotally hinged guard panel inlocked position adjacent a window opening in a building wall andmaintaining said guard panel in locked position in response to theposition of an associated window disposed in said window opening, saidlocking device comprising apertured brackets secured to and projectinghorizontally from the confines of said window opening in said buildingwall, a locking rod mounted for vertical reciprocation on the free frameportion of said guard panel opposite the hinged frame portion, saidvertically reciprocal rod including offset parallel portions at each endthereof receivable in said apertured brackets, a trigger member inhorizontally pivoted engagement with a horizontally disposed supportingbracket member attached to the inner face portion of the guard paneladjacent the free frame side thereof opposite the hinged side by meansof two laterally and horizontally extending arms, one arm of which ispivotally engaged with one end of said supporting bracket and extendsinward toward the hinged side of the panel, and the other arm of whichis pivotally engaged with the other end of said supporting bracket andterminates in an integral crank member extending horizontally toward thefree side of the guard panel, means carried on said verticallyreciprocal rod intermediate its length for association with said crankmember whereby said rod may be raised and its offset parallel endportions caused to be engaged in said apertured brackets projecting fromthe window wall upon rotation of said crank by means of said triggermember being raised to an upright position and confining same againstsaid window when it is in a predetermined position whereby saidvertically reciprocal rod is restrained against disengagement from saidapertured brackets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS223,624 De Witt Jan. 13, 1880 718,101 Decker Ian. 13, 1903 2,711,565Levin June 28, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 129,777 Germany Apr. 11, 1902342,709 Great Britain Jan. 26, 1931

1. A LOCKING DEVICE FOR SECURING A PIVOTALLY HINGED GUARD PANEL INLOCKED POSITION ADJACENT A WINDOW IN A BUILDING WALL, SAID DEVICECOMPRISING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BRACKET MEMBER ATTACHED TO AN INNERFACE PORTION OF THE PANEL ADJACENT THE FREE FRAME SIDE THEREOF OPPOSITETHE HINGED SIDE, A TRIGGER MEMBER PIVOTALLY ENGAGED WITH SAID BRACKET BYTWO LATERALLY AND HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING ARMS, ONE ARM OF WHICH ISPIVOTALLY ENGAGED WITH ONE END OF SAID BRACKET AND EXTENDS INWARD TOWARDTHE HINGED SIDE OF THE PANEL AND THE OTHER ARM OF WHICH IS PIVOTALLYENGAGED WITH THE OTHER END OF THE BRACKET AND TERMINATES IN AN INTEGRALCRANK MEMBER EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY TOWARD THE FREE SIDE OF THE PANEL, AROD SLIDABLY SECURED TO AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY ALONG THE FRAMECOMPONENT AT THE FREE SIDE OF THE PANEL AND CARRYING MEANS INTERMEDIATEITS LENGTH FOR ASSOCIATION WITH SAID CRANK MEMBER, MEANS EXTENDING FROMAT LEAST ONE END OF THE ROD ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCKING MEANSSECURED TO AND PROJECTING HORIZONTALLY FROM THE CONFINES OF SAID WINDOWIN SAID BUILDING WALL.